Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

A method for the synthesis of electroactive polymers is demonstrated, starting with the synthesis of extended conjugation monomers using a three-step ...

Texas State University

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) through electrospinning. The resulting micro- and nanofibers have been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which confirmed fiber formation and demonstrated a core-sheath structure of the PMMA fibers. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was used to obtain the thermal properties of the materials, indicating an enhancement in the thermal properties of the composite fibers. In addition, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to investigate the interactions of PMMA micro- and nanofibers with CNFs, demonstrating the preferred sites of intermolecular interactions between the polymer matrix and the filler.

Microscopic and Spectroscopic Studies of Thermally Enhanced Electrospun PMMA Micro- and Nanofibers.

In the present study, we aimed to produce mineralized-collagen by hydrothermal process. A simple method not depending on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to isolate the mineralized-collagen fibers from bovine waste. The process of extraction involves the use of hydrothermal method from available bovine bones. The structural and morphological properties of the collagen fibers were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These results indicated well received collagen fibers, having a diameter less than 1 μm and with established mineral content in the individual fibers. The X-ray diffraction showed the crystalline feature of the obtained nano-compounds. The thermo gravimetric analysis was used to differentiate between the collagen and mineral parts of obtained product. Overall, the results generously indicated production of well received collagen fibers from bovine bones.

Fabrication of Mineralized Collagen from Bovine Waste Materials by Hydrothermal Method as Promised Biomaterials.

In the present study, we introduce Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers containing nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (NPs) as a result of an electrospinning. Typically, a colloidal solution consisting of PVDF/Ni NPs was prepared to produce nanofibers embedded with solid NPs by electrospinning process. The resultant nanostructures were studied by SEM analyses, which confirmed well oriented nanofibers and good dispersion of Ni NPs over them. The XRD results demonstrated well crystalline feature of PVDF and Ni in the obtained nanostructures. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nano-structures were characterized for TEM which confirmed nanofibers were well-oriented and had good dispersion of Ni NPs. Furthermore, the prepared nano-structures were studied for hydrogen production applications. Due to high surface to volume ratio of nanofibers form than the thin film ones, there was tremendous increase in the rate of hydrogen production. Overall, results satisfactorily confirmed the use of these materials in hydrogen production.

Fabrication of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) Nanofibers Containing Nickel Nanoparticles as Future Energy Server Materials.

Biodegradable electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were coated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve cell adhesion and proliferation. PRP was obtained from human buffy coat, and tested on human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to confirm cell proliferation and cytocompatibility. Then, PRP was adsorbed on the PCL scaffolds via lyophilization, which resulted in a uniform sponge-like coating of 2.85 (S.D. 0.14) mg/mg. The scaffolds were evaluated regarding mechanical properties (Young's modulus, tensile stress and tensile strain), sustained release of total protein and growth factors (PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and VEGF), and hemocompatibility. MSC seeded on the PRP-PCL nanofibers showed an increased adhesion and proliferation compared to pristine PCL fibers. Moreover, the adsorbed PRP enabled angiogenesis features observed as neovascularization in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Overall, these results suggest that PRP-PCL scaffolds hold promise for tissue regeneration applications.

Biodegradable electrospun nanofibers coated with platelet-rich plasma for cell adhesion and proliferation.

The present study discusses the design, development and characterization of electrospun Tecoflex(®) EG 80A class of polyurethane nanofibers and the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to these materials. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed the presence of polymer nanofibers, which showed a decrease in fiber diameter at 0.5% wt. and 1% wt. MWCNTs loadings, while transmission electron microscopy showed evidence of the MWCNTs embedded within the polymer matrix. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to elucidate the polymer-MWCNTs intermolecular interactions, indicating that the C-N and N-H bonds in polyurethanes are responsible for the interactions with MWCNTs. Furthermore, tensile testing indicated an increase in the Young's modulus of the nanofibers as the MWCNTs concentration was increased. Finally, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the obtained nanofibers, demonstrating cell biocompatibility and proliferation. Therefore, the results indicate the successful formation of polyurethane nanofibers with enhanced mechanical properties, and demonstrate their biocompatibility, suggesting their potential application in biomedical areas.

Imaging, Spectroscopic, Mechanical and Biocompatibility Studies of Electrospun Tecoflex(®) EG 80A Nanofibers and Composites Thereof Containing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes.

In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers containing multi-walled-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to disperse MWCNTs through high intensity sonication. Typically, a polymer solution consisting of polymer/MWCNTs has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were evaluated by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, confirming nanofibers containing MWCNTs. The biocompatibility and cell attachment of the produced nanofiber mats were investigated while culturing them in the presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The results from these tests indicated non-toxic behavior of the prepared nanofiber mats and had a significant attachment of cells towards nanofibers. The incorporation of MWCNTs into polymeric nanofibers led to an improvement in tensile stress from 11.40 ± 0.9 to 51.25 ± 5.5 MPa. Furthermore, complete alignment of the nanofibers resulted in an enhancement on tensile stress to 72.78 ± 5.5 MPa. Displaying these attributes of high mechanical properties and non-toxic nature of nanofibers are recommended for an ideal candidate for future tendon and ligament grafts.

Imaging, spectroscopy, mechanical, alignment and biocompatibility studies of electrospun medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane™ 3575A) nanofibers and composite nanofibers containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

Significant research has focused on investigating the potential of hydrogels in various applications and, in particular, in medicine. Specifically, hydrogels that are biodegradable lend promise to many therapeutic and biosensing applications. Endonucleases are critical for mechanisms of DNA repair. However, they are also known to be overexpressed in cancer and to be present in wounds with bacterial contamination. In this work, we set out to demonstrate the preparation of DNA-enabled hydrogels that could be degraded by nucleases. Specifically, hydrogels were prepared through the reaction of dibenzocyclooctyne-functionalized multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) with azide-functionalized single-stranded DNA in aqueous solutions via copper-free click chemistry. Through the use of this method, biodegradable hydrogels were formed at room temperature in buffered saline solutions that mimic physiological conditions, avoiding possible harmful effects associated with other polymerization techniques that can be detrimental to cells or other bioactive molecules. The degradation of these DNA-cross-linked hydrogels upon exposure to the model endonucleases Benzonase(®) and DNase I was studied. In addition, the ability of the hydrogels to act as depots for encapsulation and nuclease-controlled release of a model protein was demonstrated. This model has the potential to be tailored and expanded upon for use in a variety of applications where mild hydrogel preparation techniques and controlled material degradation are necessary including in drug delivery and wound healing systems.

Travis Cantu

Materials Science,
Engineering,
and Commercialization Program,
Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program

Texas State University

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Travis Cantu

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Materials Science,Engineering,and Commercialization Program,Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program

Texas State University

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Materials Science,
Engineering,
and Commercialization Program,
Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program